20 February headlines

New hopes that tar sands could be banned from Europe

A landmark directive with the potential to ban tar sands oil from Europe has been reprieved. The EU’s most senior energy official confirmed that the fuel quality directive to encourage greener road fuels will not be scrapped. Guardian.

Green energy project stuck on amber

Householders facing £1.1 billion in subsidies to pay for converting coal-fired power station to green energy risk being overcharged, according to the European Commission. The Times.

Consumer groups demand change after ‘big six’ accused of penalising customers out of hundreds of pounds

MPs and consumer groups have demanded radical action to fix the energy market after a Competition and Markets Authority report accused the ‘big six’ suppliers of penalising loyal customers. Independent.

This year could see coral bleaching on a global scale for the third time in history – and the first time in the absence of an El Nino. That is the latest prediction from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Guardian.

FCA to review competition among investment banks

The financial regulator has raised questions about whether investment banks are offering good value for money to corporate clients. Telegraph.